Novel sodium channel blockers

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to novel phenytoin derivative compounds and the use of such compounds as sodium channel blockers. Such compositions have utility as anti-cancer agents and can be used to limit or prevent PCa growth and/or metastasis.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC §199(e) to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/373,440, filed Apr. 18, 2002, and60/373,784, filed Apr. 19, 2002, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to novel compounds and the use of suchcompounds as sodium channel blockers. Such compositions have utility intreating diseases associated with inappropriate sodium channel activity,and include the use of these compounds as anti-cancer agents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The capacity of a cell to alter its morphology and migrate is inherentto cancer cell metastasis. Although the precise biological mechanismsshaping cellular morphology during metastasis have not been elucidated,it is known that such changes involve cell-matrix interactions andcytoskeletal elements. The involvement of Na+ channels in shapingcellular morphology has been described for neurons (Mattei et al.,Journal of Neuroscience Research, 55(6):666-73, 1999). As of yet, theintracellular mechanisms through which Na+ channel activity regulatecancer cellular morphology are unclear, although ion channels have beenimplicated in several types of cellular behavior that could be relatedto the different stages of metastasis. These include proliferation,migration, and adhesion/interaction with the cellular matrix.

Voltage-gated ion channels, classically associated with impulseconduction in excitable tissues, are also found in a variety ofepithelial cell types where their function is not well known. Ninemammalian sodium channel genes have been identified and found to beexpressed and functional. These genes are greater than 50% identical inamino acid sequence in the transmembrane and extracellular domains.Recently, several types of voltage-gated ion channels have beendiscovered in rat and human prostate cancer cells. Several independentstudies have also linked a prostate voltage gated sodium (Na+) channelα-subunit with the invasiveness of human prostate cell lines includingLNCaP and PC-3 (see Diss, et al., The Prostate, 48:165-178, 2001 andSmith et al., FEBS Letters, 423:19-24, 1998.). Further,electrophysiological studies using a whole-ell patch clamp indicatedthat the identified prostate cell sodium channel is sensitive totetrodotoxin (TTX) at 600 nM, identifying the channel as voltagedependent TTX sensitive Na+ channel protein.

Comparisons between rodent and human prostate cancer cell lines led tothe conclusion that the level of Na+ channel expression is associatedpositively with the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells in vitro.Encouragingly, both protein and functional studies strongly supportsodium channel blockade as a viable mechanism for PCa cell inhibition.Recently, the effect of four anticonvulsants on the secretion ofprostate-specific antigen (PSA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by humanprostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, DU-145 and PC-3) was measured usingELISA's specific for each protein. The results demonstrated that bothphenytoin and carbamazepine, which inactivate voltage-gated sodiumchannels (NVSC), inhibit the secretion of PSA by LNCaP and IL-6, DU-145and PC-3 cell lines (Abdul, M. and Hoosein, N., Anticancer Research,21(3B):2045-8, 2001 May-June). Additionally, the authors demonstrate areduced capacity to form colonies in Matrigel upon treatment withphenytoin. These data indicate further that sodium channel blockade is astrong candidate for effective treatment of PCa.

Experiments using tritiated batrachotoxin (BTX) have revealed anallosteric relationship between BTX and the phenytoin binding site inbrain tissue. This relationship led applicant to investigate theneuronal hydantoin receptor in the brain for conformation and lipophilicproperties. Since there was little structural data about thephenytoin-binding site on the NVSC, a defined series of compounds wasdesigned, synthesized and evaluated to identify novel Na+ channelblocking agents. Such compounds have utility in treating diseasesassociated with hyper sodium channel activity, including treatingepilepsy, pain, bipolar disease, depression Amytrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) and neoplastic disease such as androgen-sensitive andandrogen-independent prostate cancer.

Prostate neoplasia is the most common cause of cancer in men and thesecond leading cause of cancer death among men in the U.S. Approximately189,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and approximately30,000 will die from this disease in 2002. Human prostate cancer cellsexpress a voltage gated sodium channel, a 260 Kd transmembrane proteinthat is similar to neuronal subtypes. Whole cell patch clampingexperiments indicate that the prostate voltage sodium channel (PVSC)also functions similarly to neuronal subtypes. Significantly, Na+channel expression in prostate cancer cells has been correlatedpositively to invasiveness in the highly metastatic cell line MAT-LyLu(rat). PVSC has been found to be sensitive to Tetrodotoxin (TTX) and ithas been reported that TTX inhibits the invasiveness of PC-3 cells(human) by 31% (P=0.02) Laniado, et al. American Journal of Pathology,150(4): 1213-21, 1997. Furthermore, TTX (6 mM) produces alterations inprostate cancer cell morphology, including a decrease in cell processlength, field diameter; increases in cell body diameter and processthickness. S. P. Fraser, Y. Ding, A. Liu, C. S. Foster M. B. A. Djamgoz.Cell Tissue Research. 295: 505-512, 1999 and Grimes J A. Djamgoz M B.Journal of Cellular Physiology. 175(1):50-8, 1998. Therefore, PVSCserves as an effective target for potential prostate cancertherapeutics, thus presenting a need for new inhibitors of this sodiumchannel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the design and synthesis of novelvoltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) and prostate voltage sodium channel(PVSC) inhibitors. Compositions comprising such inhibitors have utilityin treating diseases characterized by overabundant or hyperactiveVGSC/PVSC's. In one embodiment a sodium channel binder/blocker thatselectively targets overabundant or hyperactive VGSC's in the prostateis used to limit or prevent PCa growth and/or metastasis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Effects of phenytoin DIP) and analogues 1, 5 and 44 on therNav1.2. Currents were elicited by a step depolarisation from a holdingpotential of —100 mV to +10 mV for 50 msec at 15 sec intervals. In eachexample a control trace is superimposed with one recorded at maximumdrug affect. All compounds were tested at 100 μM concentration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology willbe used in accordance with the definitions set forth below.

As used herein, the term “purified” and like terms relate to theisolation of a molecule or compound in a form that is substantially free(at least 60% free, preferably 75% free, and most preferably 90% free)from other components normally associated with the molecule or compoundin a native environment.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includesany of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, such as a phosphatebuffered saline solution, water, emulsions such as an oil/water orwater/oil emulsion, and various types of wetting agents. The term alsoencompasses any of the agents approved by a regulatory agency of the USFederal government or listed in the US Pharmacopeia for use in animals,including humans.

As used herein, an “effective amount” means an amount sufficient toproduce a selected effect. For example, an effective amount of a sodiumchannel blocker is an amount of the blocker sufficient to produce adetectable inhibition of sodium channel activity.

The general chemical terms used in the description of the compounds ofthe present invention have their usual meanings. For example, the term“alkyl” by itself or as part of another substituent means a straight orbranched aliphatic chain having the stated number of carbon atoms.

The term “halo” includes bromo, chloro, fluoro, and iodo.

The term “haloalkyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl radical bearingat least one halogen substituent, for example, chloromethyl, fluoroethylor trifluoromethyl and the like.

The term “C₁-C_(n) alkyl” wherein n is an integer, as used herein,refers to a branched or linear alkyl group having from one to thespecified number of carbon atoms. Typically C₁-C₆ alkyl groups include,but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, butyl,iso-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like.

The term “C₂-C_(n) alkenyl” wherein n is an integer, as used herein,represents an olefinically unsaturated branched or linear group havingfrom 2 to the specified number of carbon atoms and at least one doublebond. Examples of such groups include, but are not limited to,1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1,3-butadienyl, 1-butenyl, hexenyl, pentenyl,and the like.

The term “C₂-C_(n) alkynyl” wherein n is an integer refers to anunsaturated branched or linear group having from 2 to the specifiednumber of carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Examples of suchgroups include, but are not limited to, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl,1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted” refers to zero to foursubstituents, wherein the substituents are each independently selected.More preferably, the term refers to zero to three independently selectedsubstituents.

As used herein the term “aryl” refers to a mono- or bicyclic carbocyclicring system having one or two aromatic rings including, but not limitedto, phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, indenyl, and thelike. Aryl groups (including bicyclic aryl groups) can be unsubstitutedor substituted with one, two or three substituents independentlyselected from lower alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino,dialkylamino, hydroxy, halo, and nitro. The term (alkyl)aryl refers toany aryl group which is attached to the parent moiety via the alkylgroup.

The term “C₃-C_(n) cycloalkyl” wherein n=4-8, represents cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl.

The term “heterocyclic group” refers to a C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl groupcontaining from one to three heteroatoms wherein the heteroatoms areselected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen.

The term “bicyclic” represents either an unsaturated or saturated stable7- to 12-membered bridged or fused bicyclic carbon ring. The bicyclicring may be attached at any carbon atom which affords a stablestructure. The term includes, but is not limited to, naphthyl,dicyclohexyl, dicyclohexenyl, and the like.

The term “lower alkyl” as used herein refers to branched or straightchain alkyl groups comprising one to eight carbon atoms, includingmethyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, neopentyl and thelike.

The term, “parenteral” means not through the alimentary canal but bysome other route such as subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraspinal, orintravenous.

As used herein, the term “treating” includes alleviating the symptomsassociated with a specific disorder or condition and/or preventing oreliminating said symptoms.

As used herein the term “anti-tumor agent” relates to agents known inthe art that have been demonstrated to have utility for treatingneoplastic disease. For example, antitumor agents include, but are notlimited to, antibodies, toxins, chemotherapeutics, enzymes, cytokines,radionuclides, photodynamic agents, and angiogenesis inhibitors. Toxinsinclude ricin A chain, mutant Pseudomonas exotoxins, diphtheria toxoid,streptonigrin, boamycin, saporin, gelonin, and pokeweed antiviralprotein. Chemotherapeutics include 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), daunorubicin,cisplatinum, bleomycin, melphalan, taxol, tamoxifen, mitomycin-C, andmethotrexate. Radionuclides include radiometals. Photodynamic agentsinclude porphyrins and their derivatives. Angiogenesis inhibitors areknown in the art and include natural and synthetic biomolecules such aspaclitaxel, O-(chloroacetyl-carbonyl) fumagillol (“TNP-470” or “AGM1470”), thrombospondin-1, thrombospondin-2, angiostatin, humanchondrocyte-derived inhibitor of angiogenesis (“hCHIAMP”),cartilage-derived angiogenic inhibitor, platelet factor-4, gro-beta,human interferon-inducible protein 10 (“IP10”), interleukin 12, Ro318220, tricyclodecan-9-yl xanthate (“D609”), irsogladine,8,9-dihydroxy-7-methyl-benzo[b]quinolizinium bromide (“GPA 1734”),medroxyprogesterone, a combination of heparin and cortisone, glucosidaseinhibitors, genistein, thalidomide, diamino-antraquinone, herbimycin,ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid.

The novel VGSC blockers of the present invention contain one or moreasymmetric centers in the molecule. In accordance with the presentinvention a structure that does not designate the stereochemistry is tobe understood as embracing all the various optical isomers, as well asracemic mixtures thereof.

The Invention

The present invention relates to the discovery of novel sodium channelblockers and the use of those compounds to treat diseases associatedwith excessive voltage gated sodium channel activity. In accordance withthe present invention a modulator of voltage gated sodium channels isprovided wherein the modulator has the general structure:

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(m)COOH, —(CH₂)_(m)NH₂,        —(CH₂)_(m)CONH₂, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,        —(CH₂)_(p)(CHOH)CONH₂, —(CH₂)_(n)substituted aryl,        —(CH₂)_(p)NCH₃(CH₂)_(p) substituted aryl —(CH₂)_(n)aryl, and        —(CH₂)_(n) substituted heterocyclic, wherein m is an integer        ranging from 3-8, n is an integer ranging from 04 and p is an        integer ranging from 14. R₂ is selected from the group        consisting of H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)COOH, —(CH₂)_(n)NH₂,        —(CH₂)_(n) NHCH₃, and —(CH₂)_(n)CONHR₁₀, R₃ is selected from the        group consisting of H, hydroxy, amino, (C₁-C₄) alkoxy, —CH₂OH        and —CONH₂, or R₂ and R₃ taken together with the atoms to which        they are attached form an optionally substituted aryl or an        optionally substituted heterocyclic ring, R₄ and R₅ are        independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁ and (C₁-C₄)        alkoxy, and Rr is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        C₁-C₈ allyl, amino, hydroxy, C₁-C₈ alkoxy,        wherein R₇ and RB are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl and C₂-C₄ alkynyl,        and R₉ is H, or RB and R₉ taken together with the atoms to which        they are attached form an optionally substituted heterocyclic        ring, R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of H and C₁-C₄        alkyl, and R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄        alkyl, NH₂ and OH, with the proviso that when R₄, R₅ and R₆ are        each H, and R₂ and R₃ taken together form a heterocyclic ring, R        is not —(CH₂)_(n)aryl.

In one embodiment the compound has the general structure of Formula I,wherein R₂ and R₃ taken together with the atoms to which they, areattached form a heterocyclic ring having the structure:

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of —CHR₁₂—, —O— and—NR₁₂—, wherein R₁₁ and R₁₂ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, benzyl and C₁-C₄ alkyl, with the proviso that when X is—NH₂— and R₁₁ is H, R is not phenyl. In one preferred embodiment X is—NR₁₂—.

In one embodiment the compound has the general structure of Formula I,wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, R₂ and R₃ taken together with the atoms to whichthey are attached form a ring having the structure:

wherein q is an integer ranging from 1 to 2. In one preferred embodimentR is C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, q is 1 and R₄, R₅ and R₆ are independently selectedfrom the group consisting of H and halo.

In accordance with one embodiment a sodium channel blockers is providedwherein the blocker has the general structure:

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4. R₂ is H or C₁-C₄        alkyl, R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄        alkynyl, —COR₁₀ and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy, and R₆ is selected from the        group consisting of H, halo, C₁-C₈ alkyl, amino, hydroxy, C₁-C₈        alkoxy and        wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group        consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl and C₂-C₄ alkynyl,        and R₉ is H, or R₈ and R₉ taken together with the atoms to which        they are attached form an optionally substituted heterocyclic        ring and R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄        alkyl, NH₂ and OH.

In one embodiment a compound that modulates sodium channel activity isprovided wherein the compound is represented by the general structure

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₃-C₁₀ alkyl,    -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and —OCH₃, and R₆ is selected from the        group consisting of H,        wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4. In accordance with one        embodiment the compound has the general structure of Formula III        or IV wherein R is C₃-C₉ alkyl and R₄ and R₅ are independently H        or methyl and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a compound isprovided that is represented by the general structure

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₃-C₉ alky,        C₂-Cg alkenyl, and C₂-C₉ alkynyl,    -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, and        —OCH₃, and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        C₁-C₈ alkyl, amino, hydroxy, and        wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4. In accordance with one        embodiment the compound has the general structure of Formula III        or IV wherein R is C₃-C₁₂ alkyl and R₄, R₅ and R₆ are        independently selected from the group consisting of H and halo.        In an alternative embodiment, the compound has the general        structure of Formula III or IV wherein R is C₃-C₁₂ alkyl, R₄ and        R₅ are independently H or C₁-C₄ alkyl and R₆ is selected from        the group consisting of

In another embodiment of the present invention a compound of the generalformula III or IV is provided wherein R is

-   -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, and —OCH₃, and R₆ is H.

In another embodiment the sodium channel blocker of the presentinvention has the general structure

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        C₂-C₉ alkenyl and C₂-C₉ alkynyl, R₃ is hydroxy, amino, (C₁-C₄)        alkoxy, —CH₂OH or —CONH₂, R₄ and R₅ are independently selected        from the group consisting of H and halo, and R₆ is selected from        the group consisting of H, halo and        wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4, and in one embodiment        n is 1 or 2. In one preferred embodiment, a sodium channel        blocker represented by formula II is provided wherein R is        C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, R₃ is hydroxyl, R₄ is halo and R₅ and R₆ are halo        or H, and in one preferred embodiment the halo substitutents are        either F or Cl. In a further embodiment a compound of the        general structure of Formula II is provided wherein R is C₅-C₉,        R₃ is hydroxyl, R₄ and R₅ are both H and R₆ is halo, and more        preferably F or Cl. In one preferred embodiment the present        invention is directed to compounds of the general structure of        Formula II wherein R is —(CH₂)₆CH₃, R₃ is hydroxyl, R₄ and R₅        are both H and R₆ is para-F or meta-Cl.

One aspect of the present invention is directed to the inhibition ofvoltage gated sodium channels as a novel method of targeting neoplasticcells and inhibiting metastasis. Several studies have identified thepresence of sodium channel isotypes in prostate cancer cells. Sodiumchannel mRNA from two highly metastatic prostatic epithelial tumor celllines MAT-Ly-Lu (rat) and PC-3 (human) was identified as the full-lengthskeletal muscle type 1 (SkM1). In situ hybridization data suggests thatthe level and pattern of rSkM1 mRNA expression were different in theDunning cells of markedly different metastatic potential. Interestingly,the same type of mRNA was also detected in the weakly metastaticcounterparts of AT-2 (rat) and LNCaP (human) PCa cells. Diss et. al.(The Prostate, 48:165-178, 2001), used semi-quantitative reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine theexpression profile of sodium channel mRNAs in several prostate cancer(PCa) cell lines. These results indicate that four different VGSC geneswith 9 splice variants are expressed in LNCaP cells while PC-3 has 11splice variants of the same mRNAs. Many of these splice variants encodethe fetal form of the VGSC. It has recently been reported that prostatecancer cells express a voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC) and that theactivity of this channel protein correlates with cellular invasiveness.

A study of VGSCs in the LNCaP and PC-3 human prostate cancer cell linesby Western blotting and flow cytometry reveal this channel to be a260-kd protein representative of an alpha subunit (Komuro, et al.,Science, 257: 806-809, 1992). Electrophysiological studies, using thewhole-cell patch clamp technique demonstrate that the current elicitedby this channel was inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX) at 600 nmol/L, thusidentifying the subunit as a Na+ channel. Furthermore, it has beenreported that the highly metastatic (rat) MAT-LyLu PCa cell line,derived from the Dunning model of rat prostate cancer, express a VGSCwhile the less metastatic (rat) AT-2 PCa cell line does not. Blockage ofNa⁺ current with T=X significantly reduced the invasiveness of theMAT-LyLu cells in vitro, suggesting that the expressed channel has afunctional role in metastasis. Moreover, the invasiveness of MAT-LyLucells in vitro was inhibited by up to 50% with 6 μM TTX, a specific VGSCinhibitor. TTX exposure (incubation of MAT-LyLu for 24 h with 6 μM TTX)also altered several morphological features associated with anaggressive or highly motile phenotype, and more particularly, exposureto TTX decreased cell process length, field diameter, and increasingcell body diameter and process thickness.

The results obtained using TTX suggest that the Na+ channel may play asignificant role in determining the morphological development ofMAT-Ly-Lu cells in such a way as to enhance their metastatic potential.Further characterization of the current of these channels, using thewhole-cell patch clamping, was conducted and the measured currents werecompared to Na+ currents found in various other tissues. It was shownthat the inward current of the Mat-Ly-Lu cells was abolished completely,but reversibly, in Na+-free solution. This confirms that Na+ was indeedthe permeant ion. Similar data were obtained from human PCa cell lines.PC-3 cells treated with TTX had a 31% (P=0.02) reduction of invasivenessin vitro using Boyden chamber assays. The TTX mediated reduction in theinvasiveness of PC-3 cells strongly suggests that ion channel modulatorsplay an important functional role in human tumor invasion. However, TTX(which comes from puffer fish) is very toxic to live organisms and thusis not a suitable candidate for pharmaceutical formulations.

Recently, Abdul et. al., demonstrated that PCa specimens have higherlevels of sodium channel expression compared to normal prostate (seeAnticancer Research, 21(3B):2045-8, 2001). In addition, they also showedthat a VGSC-opener (veratrine) increased proliferation, whileVGSC-blockers (flunarizine and riluzole) caused dose dependentinhibition of PCa cell growth in the micromolar range. Taken together,these studies establish that PCa cell lines from both rat and humanexpress VGSCs that are part of the tumorigenic behavior of these celllines.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a method isprovided for treating a warm blooded vertebrate patient, includinghumans, afflicted by a neoplastic disease, such as prostate cancer. Themethod comprises the steps of administering to such a patient aneffective amount of a composition comprising a sodium channel blockerrepresented by the general structure:

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4;    -   R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₈ alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)COOH, —(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, —(CH₂)_(n)NHCH₃, and        —(CH₂)_(n)CONH₂;    -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁        and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy; and    -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,    -   wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄        alkyl, NH₂ and OH. In one preferred embodiment the patient is        treated with a compound represented by the general structure of        Formula III or IV wherein R is selected from the group        consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, R₂ is H, R₄ and R₅ are independently        selected from the group consisting of H, halo and C₁-C₄ alkyl        and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        wherein n is 1 or 2. These sodium channel blocking compounds can        be combined, or used in conjunction with, other known anti-tumor        agents or therapies, such as chemotherapeutics or radiation        treatments, to effectively treat cancer patients.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a method forinhibiting voltage-gated sodium channel activity in a subject isprovided, as a means of treating an illness associated withinappropriate sodium channel activity. The inappropriate activity willtypically constitute channel hyperactivity or it may represent theexpression of a voltage channel variant in a cell/tissue that normallydoes not express that channel. Existing sodium channel blockers havebeen used to treat a number of diseases, including epilepsy, bipolardisease, depression, pain, ALS, and arrhythmia. It is anticipated thatthe sodium channel blockers of the present invention will have utilityas neuroprotective agents (including preventing secondary neuronal deathafter an initial injury) as well treating any of the disease statespreviously treated with sodium channel blockers.

In accordance with one embodiment a method of treating a disease statecharacterized by inappropriate sodium channel activity comprises thesteps of administering a composition comprising a compound representedby the general structure:

-   -   wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl,        C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,    -   R₂ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₈ alkyl,        —(CH₂)_(n)COOH, —(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, —(CH₂)_(n)NHCH₃, and        —(CH₂)_(n)CONH₂;    -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁        and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy; and    -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,    -   wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4, and R₁₁ is selected        from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, NH₂ and OH.

As disclosed herein two classes of sodium channel blockers have beendemonstrated as being effective inhibitors of prostate cancer cellproliferation. Both hydroxyamides of the general Formula III andhydantoins of the general Formula IV were shown to inhibit androgendependent and independent cell lines in vitro. Tritiated thymidineuptake assays in PC-3 cells using hydantoin analogue 44 showed 55%inhibition of DNA synthesis at 40 μM (see Table 3 in Example 4).Further, these analogues demonstrated only marginal impact on cellviability after 24 hours treatment (Table 4 in Example 4). The sodiumchannel blockers of the present invention also demonstrated cellselective inhibition of growth in a long-term growth assay over severalcell lines. In development of prostatic neoplasia, the time from tumorinitiation and progression to invasive carcinoma often begins in men inthe fourth and fifth decades of life and extends across many decades.Because of the protracted course of this disease the use ofchemopreventive strategies or cytostatic strategies may be ideal in thetreatment of prostate cancer.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a method isprovided for inhibiting the proliferation of neoplastic cells, and moreparticularly in one embodiment, prostate cancer cells. The methodcomprises contacting the cells with a compound represented by thegeneral structure:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl and C₂-C₈ alkynyl;

-   -   R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting        of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —COR₁₁ and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy; and    -   R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,        wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄        alkyl, NH₂ and OH. In one embodiment R is selected from the        group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, R₄ and R₅ are independently        selected from the group consisting of H, halo and C₁-C₄ alky,        and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H,        In another embodiment R is selected from the group consisting of        C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, R₄ and R₅ are        independently selected from the group consisting of H and halo,        and R₆ is H. These compounds can be further combined with        pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and other therapeutic        compounds (such as anti-tumor agents) to provide therapeutic        pharmaceutical compositions for treating neoplastic diseases,        including breast, glioma and prostate cancers.

The sodium channel blocker compositions of the present invention can beadministered either orally or parenterally. In one embodiment thecomposition is administered locally by injection or by an implantabletime release device. When administered orally, the compounds can beadministered as a liquid solution, powder, tablet, capsule or lozenge.The compounds can be used in combination with one or more conventionalpharmaceutical additives or excipients used in the preparation oftablets, capsules, lozenges and other orally administrable forms. Whenadministered parenterally, and more preferably by intravenous injection,the sodium channel blockers of the present invention can be admixed withsaline solutions and/or conventional IV solutions.

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising the compounds of the invention and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier can be selected from among the group consisting of excipients,disintegrating agents, binders and lubricating agents. The amount of thepharmaceutical agent suitable for administration will be in accordancewith standard clinical practice. The amount of the pharmaceutical agentsuitable for administration will be in accordance with standard clinicalpractice. In addition the pharmaceutical compositions can be furthercombined with known anti-tumor agents and used in conjunction with knownanti-tumor therapies.

EXAMPLE 1

Organic Synthesis of the Proposed Compounds.

Cmp R₃ 1 3-Cl 2 4-Cl 3 2-Cl 4 4-OCH3 5 H 9 4-Fl

Hydroxyamide compounds 1-5 were synthesized according to literatureprocedures and as outlined in Scheme I. In general, the correspondingnitrile was converted to the ketone by grignard addition followed by theconversion of the ketone to the TMS ether using TMSCN. The TMS ether wascleaved to the cyanohydrin with 1% HCl and the corresponding cyanohydrinhydrolyzed to the final product using concentrated HCl/HCl gas togenerate the final compounds. Hydantoin analogues 44 and 66 wereprepared by the Bucherer-Berg reaction from commercially availableketones.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Hydroxyamides Using a SharplessDihydroxylation Strategy.

The majority of the present compounds are chiral, thus it is anticipatedthat scheme for preparing multi-gram amounts of each enantiomer ofactive analogs will be desirable. With that in mind, a general syntheticscheme (Scheme II) was prepared and S(−)-2 was successfully synthesized.Using an enantioselective Sharpless dihydroxylation strategy, the alkene109 was converted to the diol 110 in the presence of AD mix α or β. Thechiral diol 110 was oxidized to the chiral hydroxyacid 111 and convertedto the chiral enantiomer with retention of stereochemistry. It isanticipate that this methodology can be adapted to synthesize any of theother enantiomers of racemic hydroxyamides proposed in this study thatprove to have effectiveness against prostate cancer cell proliferationand sodium channel activity.

Enantioselective Synthesis of the Hydantoin Analogues Using a JacobsenCatalyst Strategy.

The majority of the hydantoin compounds are also chiral, thus it isanticipated that scheme for preparing multi-gram amounts of eachenantiomer of active analogs wil be desirable. With that in mind, ageneral synthetic scheme (Scheme E) was prepared for synthesizingR(+)-44. Jacobsen's catalyst 97 will be used to synthesize the chiralhydantoins using the imine 136 as the starting material. A syntheticroute for preparing Jacobsen's catalyst and the use of that catalyst toprepare chiral hydantoin analogs is shown in Scheme III. It isanticipate that this methodology can be adapted to synthesize any of theother enantiomers of racemic hydantoins proposed in this study thatprove to have effectiveness against prostate cancer cell proliferationand sodium channel activity.

Jacobsen's catalyst 97 is then used to synthesize the chiral hydantoins(such as cmp 44). The starting material will be the imine 136:

HCN will be added enantioselectively to the imine 136 in the presence ofJacobsen's catalyst (97) followed by hydrolysis and deprotection of 137to give the chiral amino acid 138. Protection of the chiral amino acid138 will generate the Fmoc protected amino acid 139. Compound 139 willbe loaded onto Wang resin to give 140. Deprotection with piperidine inDMF and addition of KCNO will generate the ureide 141. Release from theresin and ring closure will be facilitated by reaction with Et₃N to form(+) or (−)-44.

Additional compounds will be prepared in accordance with the followingschemes:

Scheme V

Scheme VII

Additional compounds suitable for use in the present invention includethe following:

wherein R₃ is H or halo and R is C₁-C₉ alkyl.

EXAMPLE 2

Effects of the Synthesized Compounds on 3H-BTX-B Binding

One assay used to screen compounds for modulators of sodium channelactivity, is based on the use of the radioligand 3[H]-BTX-B assay. BTXbinds to site 2 on the channel protein and thus compounds that cancompete with or inhibit BTX binding to the sodium channel are potentialsodium channel inhibitors. This assay represents a facile tool toprescreen sodium channel binding before evaluating compounds in morerigorous functional assays such as through electrophysiology. Compound 2and 44 demonstrate effective inhibition of 3H-BTX-B binding incomparison to phenytoin (see Table 1). TABLE 1 3H-BTX-B Inhibition DataCompound 3H-BTX-B (μM)  5 9 ± 2 44 5 ± 1 phenytoin 40

NAME R % BTX INHIBITION (40 μM) α-hydroxyamides JDA-II-105 H tbdJDA-xx-xxx 2-Cl tbd JDA-III-145 3-Cl 46.14 ± 2.65 JDA-III-177 4-Cl 48.36± 1.18 JDA-IV-191 3,4-Cl tbd JDA-IV-069 2-F 37.88 ± 1.06 JDA-IV-111 3-F47.96 ± 2.70 JDA-xx-xxx 4-F tbd SS-xx-xxx 2-OMe tbd JDA-IV-067 3-OMe56.36 ± 4.33 JDA-III-271 4-OMe 52.55 ± 1.15 JDA-xx-xxx 2-Me tbdJDA-IV-093 3-Me 43.69 ± 0.51 JDA-IV-095 4-Me 25.37 ± 0.06 HydantoinsJDA-I-073 H tbd JDA-III-105 2-Cl 41.61 ± 5.36 JDA-Ill-135 3-Cl 69.57 ±3.34 SS-xx-xxx 4-Cl tbd IDA-III-113 3,4-Cl  9.25 ± 3.25 JDA-xx-xxx 2-Ftbd JDA-xx-xxx 3-F tbd JDA-III-179 4-F 11.71 ± 4.51 JDA-II-053 2-OMe35.29 ± 0.46 JDA-II-047 3-OMe 37.80 ± 0.64 JDA-IV-273 4-OMe tbdJDA-xx-xxx 2-Me tbd JDA-xx-xxx 3-Me tbd JDA-xx-xxx 4-Me tbd

EXAMPLE 3

Electrophysiology: Effects of the Synthesized Compounds on SodiumCurrents.

The functional sodium channel blocking ability of several syntheticcompounds was measured using electrophysiological. Using chinese hamsterovary cells (CHO cells) stably expressing the sodium channel isoform,Nav1.5, sodium currents were elicited from a holding potential of −120mV to a series of voltages ranging from −80 mV to +60 mV in steps of 5mV for 25 ms. These current-voltage recordings were made in the absenceand presence of drug and following washout. All effects were fullyreversible on washout thus indicating that the compounds were not toxicto the cells. Table 2 lists the recorded IC50 obtained for all thecompounds tested. The results of these studies demonstrate directly thatthe present compounds block Na channel currents. TABLE 2 Compound EC₅₀(μM) n = 5 − 7 1 14.7 ± 0.4 2 12.7 ± 2.7 5 166.4 ± 44.1 9 34.2 ± 7.4 44 29.8 ± 4.2 phenytoin >200

EXAMPLE 4

Effects of Sodium Channel Blockers on Androgen Dependent, andIndependent Cell Lines.

The novel sodium channel blockers were assayed for activity againstpaired sets of cell lines with increasing metastatic potential, PC-3 andPC-3M (already androgen independent, AI), or increasing metastaticpotential with increasing androgen independence, LNCaP and C₄-2. DU145was also included to provide another AI cell line with intermediatetumorigenicity between the LNCaP series and the PC-3 derivatives. Thisstrategy allows an examination of at least three different genotypes forcomparison of drug efficacy. Several biological assays have been used inthe initial screening of these sodium channel analogues. The first assayused to screen these compounds was 3H-thymidine uptake in PC-3 cells.The cells were trypsinized, equal cell numbers were placed into eachwell and allowed to recover overnight. The medium was changed the nextday and the analogues were added at the concentration indicated in Table3. Analogue 2, and the hydantoin analogue 44, inhibited DNA synthesisbetter than phenytoin at all dosages tested. Indeed, at higherconcentrations, phenytoin was stimulatory as was analogue 4, at alldosages tested. These data confirmed the anticipated success of thedesign strategy that was invoked by the receptor targeted schemeoutlined above. TABLE 3 Inhibition of PC3 Cells Concentration (μM) 10040 20 10 1 0 Compound %/ 30.75 −12.54 −21.78 −13.93 −23.77 0 PhenytoinInhi- 81.99 55.09 32.70 26.64 12.75 0 44 bition −13.36 −42.58 −71.62−53.19 −41.03 0 4 96.20 48.90 44.58 25.25 −3.61 0 2

To determine the novel sodium channel blockers are cytostatic orcytotoxic inhibitors, studies were performed using MTT after treatingPC-3 cells with the analogues. In these assays the MTT compound is takenup by live cells in the culture and converted to insoluble formazancrystals by functional respiratoring mitochondria. These crystals canthen be solubilized in DMSO or acid-EtOH and the absorbance measured at570 nM to determine the relative number of viable cells in a culture.The results from these studies indicate that the compounds have only amarginal impact on cell viability after 24 hours of treatment. Areduction in viability is only seen at the highest dose tested, 100 μM.This dose is in great excess over the apparent IC50 of 30 μM for theinhibitory compounds.

Long-term growth assays (7 days with drug) were also initiated todetermine if the effects observed were stable or transient. C4-2 cellswere plated at cell densities established previously to reach saturationat day 7. The cells were allowed to recover overnight before a mediachange with the analogues (all at 40 μM) was performed. The assays wereterminated at day 1, 3, 5 and 7. Media changes were performed on day 0,2, 4 and 6 with fresh analogues added each time. The cells were thenfixed with glutaraldehyde and stained with crystal violet. The dye isthen eluted in Sorenson's solution and the absorbance read at 540 nM.The results of a representative growth assay for C4-2 cells is shown inFIG. 10. These results show a remarkable inhibition of growth by thehydroxyamide compound 1. Hydantoin analogue 5, had intermediate efficacywhile a similar analogue 66, had no discernible effect from the controland may have been mildly stimulatory as was also observed for thelidocaine control. These results with the AI, human prostate cancer cellline, C4-2, were not exclusive to C4-2. These assays were repeated forDU145, PC-3 and the paired metastatic cell line PC-3M. The data werenormalized to the day 7 DMSO control for each cell line to allow fordirect cell:cell comparison. These data demonstrated two importantpoints. Firstly, the hydroxyamide analogue 1 quite effectively inhibitedgrowth of all PCa cell lines tested to date inhibiting the cells' growthto a maximum of 20-25% of controls. Secondly, the hydantoin class ofanalogues, 44 and 66 show cell selective inhibition of growth. The IC50was determined for compounds 1, 2, 5 and 44 at day five for several ofour channel blockers against the matched panel of PCa cell lines (Table4). Remarkably, the data shows that compounds which demonstrated themost active sodium channel blockade (compounds 1 and 2 vs 5 and 44) werethe best inhibitors of prostate cancer cell proliferation. TABLE 4Effects of Sodium Channel Blockers on Prostate Cancer Cell Proliferation(Day 5) Na⁺ Channel Blockade Day Five Effects on Cell line IC50 (μM) ±S.E.M. EC⁵⁰ Compound C4-2 PC3 DU-145 PC-3M LNCaP (μM) 1 51.3 ± 0.2 66.0± 0.7 56.0 ± 0.7 61.9 ± 0.1 72.2 ± 0.1 14.7 ± 0.4 5 61.8 ± 0.0 >100 84.3± 2.2 69.9 ± 1.3 81.3 ± 0.5 166.4 ± 44.1 2 61.1 ± 0.1 66.8 ± 1.2 67.2 ±0.1 50.0 ± 0.0 64.1 ± 4.3 12.7 ± 2.7 44 67.4 ± 1.3 66.0 ± 0.1 35.6 ± 2.658.4 ± 0.0 71.8 ± 1.8 29.8 ± 4.2

EXAMPLE 5

Effects of Sodium Channel Blockade on PSA Secretion and Cell Migration.

PSA levels are clinically important in following tumor progression andburden. Sodium channel blockers 1, 2 and 44 (at 40 μM) and phenytoin at(100 μM) were investigated for their ability to suppress PSA secretionby PCa C4-2 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 significantly decreased PSAsecretion on a per cell basis by 42.5% and 41.8%, respectively.Phenytoin was less effective at inhibiting PSA secretion (17.8% at 100μM) and compound 44 inhibited secretion by 14.9% at 40 μM. Remarkably,this trend reflects the ability to block sodium channels and the effectson cell proliferation. Further, the dose-response curve of compound 1for reducing PSA revealed an IC50 of approximately 10 μM, which matchesthe sodium channel EC50 of 14.7 μM. This raises very new and interestingquestions as to the role of ion channels on PSA secretion pathways.

Soft agarose colony formation (SACF) is a technique for growing cellssuspended in a 3-dimensional (3-D), semi-solid medium. Growing singlecells in this manner using agarose deprives them of a substratum withwhich to adhere. One hallmark of cancer cells is their ability to growin an anchorage-independent manner. Colony formation on soft-agarosesimulates the 3-D, anchorage-independent growth of a tumor. When normalcells are grown under similar conditions they rapidly apoptose. In orderto determine the possible efficacy of these compounds to inhibit tumorformation, several compounds were screened using SACF. The sodiumchannel blockers have increased inhibitory activity in 3-D growthrelative to that seen in 2-D growth assays when tested using molarequivalence to the phenytoin IC50. Compounds 1 and 2, which were thebest compounds in 2-D growth assays (66.3% and 42.3% inhibition)increase to approximately 87.2% and 62% inhibition at the sameconcentration in 3-D growth as compared to phenytoin. It should also beemphasized that the colonies that do form are much smaller in the testcompound plates as compared to phenytoin. Therefore, the reduction incolony formation is even more dramatic than indicated by the shearnumbers alone. Secondly, compounds that had marginal impact on cellgrowth in 2-D, namely compound 2, show dramatically enhanced inhibition(41.5% of phenytoin) using SACF. These data indicate that severalcompounds have potential to inhibit tumor growth in vivo. Interestingly,phenytoin itself is somewhat inhibitory in these 3-D assays. Phenytoininhibited 25.7% of SACF compared to the DMSO/EtOH control plates.

Evaluation of Compound 1 Toxicity in Mice.

In collaboration with the NIH National Institute of NeurologicalDisorders and Stroke, compound 1 has been evaluated for acute toxicityin mice (Table 5). The data reveals that compound 1 is tolerated up to300 mg/kg with 3/4 animals exhibiting a short term (0.5 hrs) impairmentof balance at this high dose. There were no reports of death, spasms orrespiratory distress with i.p. administration of compound 1.

In summary, thymidine incorporation, MTT, crystal violet assays, PSA,soft agar colony formation and patch clamping methodologies have beenused to date and provide insightful information as to the activity ofthe claimed compounds. Further, preliminary toxicity data obtained inmice reveal compound 1 to be tolerated up to 300 mg/kg with a half anhour impairment in balance. No acute toxic effects (death, seizures,ataxia, cardiac arrest or loss of respiratory drive) were observed.Taken together, these preliminary studies point towards two classes ofcompounds, hydroxyamide and hydantoin, which actively inhibit PCa cellgrowth. TABLE 5 NIH Evaluation of Compound 1 in Mice for impairment ofBalance on Rotorod Time (hours) Dose (mg/kg)^(b) 0.25 0.5 1.0 4.0  30 —0/4 — 0/2 100 0/4^(a) 1/8 1/8 10/4  300 — 3/4 — 0/2^(a)Number of mice with impaired balance on the rotating rod/total # ofanimals tested. No deaths, spasms or respirator distress reported.^(b)Dose administered i.p.

1. A sodium channel blocker represented by the general structure:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₉alkenyl, C₂-C₉ alkyl, —(CH₂)_(m)COOH, —(CH₂)_(m)NH₂, —(CH₂)_(m)CONH₂,—(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, —(CH₂)_(n)aryl, —(CH₂)_(n)substituted aryl,—(CH₂)_(p)NCH₃(CH₂)_(p)substituted aryl and —(CH₂)_(n)substitutedheterocyclic, wherein m is an integer ranging from 3-8, n is an integerranging from 0-4 and p is an integer ranging from 1-4; R₂ is selectedfrom the group consisting of —(CH₂)_(n)COOH, —(CH₂)_(n)NH₂, and—(CH₂)_(n)CONHR₁₀; R₃ is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy,amino, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, —CH₂OH and —CONH₂, or R₂ and R₃ taken together withthe atoms to which they are attached form an optionally substitutedheterocyclic ring; R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, andC₁-C₄ alkoxy; and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₈alkyl,

wherein R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from the group consistingof H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl and C₂-C₄ alkynyl, and R₉ is h, or R₈and R₉ taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form anoptionally substituted heterocyclic ring, and R₁₀ is selected from thegroup consisting of h, benzyl and C₁-C₄ alkyl, with the proviso thatwhen R₂ and R₃ taken together form a heterocyclic ring, R is not—(CH₂)_(n)aryl.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₂ is—(CH₂)_(n)CONH₂; and R₃ is hydroxyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, whereinR₂ and R₃ taken together with the atoms to which they are attached forma heterocyclic ring having the structure:

wherein X is selected from the group consisting of —CHR₁₂—, —O— and—NR₁₂—, wherein R₁₁ and R₁₂ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, benzyl and C₁-C₄ alkyl.
 4. The compound of claim 2 or 3wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl and C₂-C₈ alkynyl.
 5. The compound of claim 2 or 3 wherein R₄and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, haloand C₁-C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-2.
 6. The compound of claim 5wherein R₄ and R₆ are both H, and R₅ is Cl or F.
 7. The compound ofclaim 5 wherein R₄ and R₅ are both H, and R₆ is

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-2.
 8. The compound of claim 5wherein R₄ and R₅ are both C₁-C₄ alkyl, and R₆ is

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-2.
 9. The compound of claim 2 or3 wherein R is

R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting of H,halo and C₁-C₄ alkoxy; and R₆ is H.
 10. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound represented by the general formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4; R₂ is H or C₁-C₄ alkyl; R₄ andR₅ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo,C₁-C₄ alkyl C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁ and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy; andR₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,

wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, NH₂and OH; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. The compositionof claim 10 further comprising an anti-tumor agent.
 12. The compositionof claim 11, wherein the anti-tumor agent is a chemotherapeutic.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 10, wherein R is selected from the group consistingof C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the groupconsisting of H, halo and C₁-C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is selected from the groupconsisting of H,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4.
 14. A method of specificallyinhibiting voltage-gated sodium channels, said method comprising thestep of contacting said sodium channel with a compound represented bythe general structure:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₁₂alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,

R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consisting of H,halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁ and (C₁-C₄)alkoxy; and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H, halo,

wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, NH₂and OH, and n is an integer ranging from 0-4.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; R₄ andR₅ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, halo andC₁-C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is selected from the group consisting of H,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4.
 16. A method for treating aneoplastic disease, said method comprising the step of administering toa patient in need thereof a composition comprising a compoundrepresented by the general structure:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl, C₂-C₈alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, —(CH₂)_(n)C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4; R₄ and R₅ are independentlyselected from the group consisting of H, halo, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄alkenyl, C₂-C₄ alkynyl, —COR₁₁ and (C₁-C₄) alkoxy; and R₆ is selectedfrom the group consisting of H, halo,

wherein R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of H, C₁-C₄ alkyl, NH₂and OH.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein R is selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂ alkyl; R₄ and R₅ are independently selected fromthe group consisting of H, halo and C₁-C₄ alkyl; and R₆ is selected fromthe group consisting of H,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consistingof H and halo; and R₆ is H.
 19. A sodium channel blocker represented bythe general structure

wherein R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from the group consistingof H, halo and C₁-C₄ alkyl; R₆ is selected from the group consisting ofH,

wherein n is an integer ranging from 0-4 and R₁₄ and R₁₅ areindependently selected from the group consisting of H and halo, or R₁₄and R₁₅ taken together with the atoms to which they are attached form anoptionally substituted C₅-C₆ aryl.
 20. The compound of claim 19 whereinR₄, R₅ and R₆ are independently H or halo; and R₁₄ and R₁₅ are each H ortaken together with the atoms to which they are attached form a phenylring.